The Ring That Binds

Authors Note: Here is the fourth part. The story will begin to quicken now, so thank you so much for being so patient. Enjoy, and please review, and I mean it, only two people have reviewed this story, and I really am not sure if I want to continue. (Dumb threat, since I have three more chapters after this completed). All the reviews will do is help me post faster, and help me with ideas. I also want to thank Cathy and Erinamation-limited2-nothing for your reviews, thanks, it's nice to know that someone is reading my story. Well here is the story, enjoy, and for all who don't know, I don't own the Lord of the Rings. The only things that are mine, are the things that you don't recognize, and Mindy is most defiantly mine.

Part Four: Danger Has Arrived

Through the misty fog that blanketed the soft grass of the Shire, nine figures swiftly passed as though they were merely shadows. Each one looked forward silently, lost in their own thoughts. The Elf's mind was alert as he strained his ears through the numbing silence of the morning. To him, the silence was growing, and his instinct told him something was wrong. Behind him, the dwarf softly mumbled about how mornings were meant for sleeping, as he longingly wished for a soft feathered bed. Behind the group rode a silent couple, hand in hand, as they took turns looking back. The tall kingly looking man watched the two females of the group protectively, as he continued to wonder if it was the right choice to burden them with the coming darkness. He knew his wife Eowyn would stay by his side, no matter how dark the situation, but he knew that she would be affected. She had been affected last time, and he wondered if her will, though strong, will be able to stand up to the next challenge. His wife held her head high, as though she sensed what her husband was thinking. She had proven that women are just as capable of fighting as men, for it was her hand that slew the king of the Nazguls. But she couldn't help but see the small Hobbit girl struggling from the same thing. Her heart went out the small girl, and she knew that if people would just give her a chance, she would prove to fulfill her role far better then Sam. "Something is not right," Legolas whispered to Gandalf, breaking everyone out of their own thoughts. "We must make haste. There is something approaching," Gandalf's hissed through the silence. "What's coming?" Faramir asked squeezing his wife's hand protectively. "Nazguls," Frodo whispered so softly that the group had to strain their ears to hear him. The group paled, while Eowyn gasped. "But they were destroyed," Eowyn said trying to convince herself, but from the look Gandalf gave her, she knew it was hopeless. "They fell with their lord, and now that their lord has risen, they are now able to walk in the shadows of this world once again," Gandalf said picking up the pace a little more. "There is only eight though," Frodo said concentrating hard for a moment. "How do you know?" Eowyn asked fearfully, "Can you see them?" Mindy looked at Frodo concerned, knowing the answer. "No, I can feel them," Frodo replied as the dark speech entered his mind, calling him, and poisoning him with fear. "I can feel them, like they can feel me," Frodo said his hand patting the small box that hung on a strong chain around his neck. Eowyn just looked at him confused for a moment, before she understood. The ring was drawing them, there was no way to escape. "When are they going to attack us?" Mindy whispered just loud enough that only Frodo could hear her. "They aren't going to attack us. They are going after..." Frodo started to say before he became deathly pale. "What are they planning on doing?" Gandalf demanded harshly, coming to a quick halt, and facing Frodo sternly. "They are going after Sam, and they are going to kill him, and his family if I don't go to them," Frodo said, his eyes beginning to water. "I have to save him," Frodo said, but Gandalf only shook his head firmly. "We cannot risk going back," Gandalf announced getting hurt expressions from the group. "But we cannot let our friend die if there is still a chance to save him. I shall go and do what I can. Legolas, you have to lead them to the old forest. Tom's land will provide us with more protection then Bree," Gandalf demanded as he swiftly disappeared into the fog.

Gandalf felt the fog flow over him, as he desperately made his way to Hobbiton. Shadowfax seemed to understand his master's need for haste, and continued forward far more swiftly then any creature alive. "My dear friend, please be alright. You have to be alright, for the Shire's sake, and for Frodo. If he lost you, his will, will break," Gandalf pleaded as he began to feel the coldness creep across his skin. They were nasty creature, Nazguls. They were neither living, nor dead. They were decaying spirits of once strong men; consumed with greed and hate, they only live to destroy.

A cold piercing scream filled the quiet town of Hobbiton, as Gandalf neared his destination. "Sam!" Gandalf's voice boomed as he leaped off Shadowfax, and swiftly made his way to the broken round door of Bag-End. Fear enveloped his heart, as Gandalf made his way to the coldness that seemed to seep through the air, poisoning anything that was alive. Another scream entered the air, as Gandalf burst through the door of the master bedroom. There, hovering over five terrified Hobbits, was one Nazgul. "Only one?" Gandalf thought, a sudden feeling of foolishness washing over his subconscious mind, as the black shadowed figure retreated into the shadows.

"Sam, are you alright?" Gandalf asked kneeling down by the little family, as he quickly looked them over. "Gandalf, where is Frodo?" Sam demanded as he stood up from his protective position over his family. "He, and the rest of the Fellowship should be by the ferry by now," Gandalf said standing, and looking for some trace of the Nazgul. "You left him?" Sam asked horrified before his face hardened into anger. "You fool! You never should have left him! They set a trap! They wanted to get you away from him. You are the only thing that can save him, but you came here to save me from one lousy black rider. You should have forgotten about us," Sam said lowering his head in defeat. Gandalf stood up quickly, Sam was right. He had acted before thinking, and now Frodo was in danger. "There is still hope, don't despair yet," Gandalf said standing up, and racing out of the hole. He knew what he had to do, and wished desperately that it wouldn't be too late.

Frodo clutched his throbbing shoulder, as seven figures slowly surrounded the small group. "I thought you said they were at Sam's?" Faramir said as the fellowship circled around Frodo protectively. "There was one at Sam's!" Frodo yelled as his hands balled into fists. "They set us up, and I willingly led them all into this trap," Frodo thought as he gritted his teeth in frustration. They had just gotten off of the ferry, when they were surrounded, which meant that even if Gandalf could get to the ferry in time, he couldn't get across. "How are we supposed to fight so many?" Eowyn asked as she held her sword in front of her. "We can't, we don't have the weapon's, or the strength to destroy them," Legolas said starring at the cloaked figures in disgust. "But we can always try!" the Elf said, determination reflection in his hardened blue eyes. "Well, it has been nice knowing you," Gimli said raising his axe. "Say no goodbye's yet, there is still hope," Legolas said watching as the figures drew nearer.

"Put on the ring" one of the dark figures demanded as its sightless eyes fell on Frodo. "I can't, I have to fight it," Frodo thought desperately, but his phial that the Lady Galadrial had given him, was not with him, and couldn't help strengthen his mind from the commanding voice of darkness. All Frodo's mind could do was watch as his hand slowly opened the black box. A golden ring, with a fiery red stone fell into his hand, and Frodo watched fearfully as the object slowly drew closer to his finger. "Help me," Frodo's eyes seemed to plead as he closed them, unaware of the concerned blue eyes that were watching him carefully.

Mindy watched as Frodo struggled with himself, and she watched horrified as he slowly began to open the box. "I have to do something," Mindy thought desperately, as Frodo closed his eyes. "I pray that this works," Mindy thought as she pulled off her engagement ring. Before anyone could do anything, Mindy charged at Frodo, knocking him down, and making a grab at the enemies ring. For a moment, all the fellowship could do was watch speechlessly as the two Hobbits wrestled on the ground. Then without warning, Mindy stood up, and charged toward the old forest. Startled, the Nazguls didn't know how to react, until the girl was past them. "Mindy, what the hell are you doing?" Merry demanded as Mindy stopped and turned around, a mad look on her face. "It is mine now! My own, my precious!" Mindy yelled holding up the ring, like it was some sort of trophy. A dark spine chilling cry filled the land seconds before the seven Nazguls charged. The Fellowship stood frozen, unable to figure out what was happening as the dark shadows swept past them. The fellowship was forgotten for a moment as the Nazguls chased the Hobbit girl into the forest.

Frodo's hand drifted up to the small black box, unable to hide the look of betrayal on his face. "She took the ring," Frodo thought still feeling shocked until he realized that the Elvish box that had been open, was once again closed. Startled, Frodo shook the box, and heard the familiar rattle of the ring. Realization lit across his face as he broke into a sprint after Mindy. "She was using herself as a decoy," Frodo thought as the rest of the fellowship took off after him.

"I can't believe she took the ring," Pippin said, hurt escaping in his shaky words. "I have to save her," Frodo thought as he ignored the betrayal in his cousin's voice. "It will take too long to explain it to him," Frodo told himself as his speed increased, "and Mindy doesn't have much time left," Frodo's mind reasoned, as he raced blindly through the forest. But at that moment a horrified scream filled the air, as the triumphant yells of the Nazgul's announced that they had captured their prey. Frodo paled as his heart skipped a beat. "Mindy!" Frodo yelled forcing his legs to move faster, but before Frodo could reach the area were the seven dark figures were, a strong arm wrapped around his waste, and hoisted him into the air. "No, let me go!" Frodo demanded as he twisted, and kicked against the person who was holding him back. "There is nothing you can do, the enemy has the ring," Faramir's defeated voice said as he struggled to keep a hold of the small Hobbit. "No! Mindy!" Frodo yelled as his struggle continued. "Faramir, they will hear us," Eowyn said desperately as her husband put a large hand over the screaming Hobbit's mouth. "Common, we have to head to safety," Legolas said as he picked up a frantic Pippin, and Gimly dragged a shocked Merry. "We cannot let you guys go, it is too late to save her, or the ring," Gimli said as Merry rather reluctantly turned his head away from were the distant sounds of the Nazguls could be heard. "No, she is my fiancé," Pippin mumbled, as he buried his head in the Elf's golden hair. "Not anymore," Legolas said sternly as the group slowly disappeared, heading deeper, into the very heart of the old forest.